Jul 17, Kathmandu - The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Pakistani security convoy in the turbulent Balochistan province, reportedly killing 45 Pakistani soldiers.

According to Indian media outlet The Print, citing sources from Balochistan Post, the attack took place in the Mastung region on Thursday. While the Pakistani military confirmed the incident, no official casualty figures have been released so far.

In a statement issued by BLA spokesperson Jiyand Baloch, the organization’s Fatah squad targeted the security convoy, its accompanying security personnel, and additional military forces at the scene in a coordinated assault. He further stated that clashes were ongoing at the time of the statement and that the death toll and injuries could increase.

This attack marks the third major assault on Pakistani security forces in Balochistan within the past two weeks. Earlier, coordinated attacks in the Mangi Dam area of Jiarat district resulted in 27 police and 11 soldiers being killed.

In response, Pakistani security forces launched ‘Operation Shaban’ this week, involving the army, Frontier Corps, Balochistan police, intelligence agencies, and air support.

Pakistani Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Choudhry warned that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice with firm and decisive military action. Balochistan remains Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province, where a separatist insurgency has persisted for decades over resource rights and greater political autonomy.

The region’s strategic location, along with China's investments in the Gwadar port, has heightened security concerns, making it a sensitive area geopolitically and economically.

The Pakistani government has formed a four-member investigation committee to probe the incident. The panel will review the attack details, assess potential command failures, security arrangements, and coordination lapses among security agencies.